Kevin Costner’s upcoming Western epic is exciting for many reasons, including comparisons to the 1990s classic Tombstone. After over three decades, the 1993 Western, which starred Kurt Russell and Val Kilmer, is still a beloved movie. There are many movies like Tombstone, but nothing satisfies the blend of classic Western narrative with modernized film aesthetics quite like it. The Western genre has changed significantly since its heyday in the ’60s, with many modern Westerns looking to subvert familiar genre tropes. In a sense, Tombstone was a belated release for the old-fashioned style Western movies.
Kevin Costner is a name synonymous with the genre, as the 69-year-old actor is considered one of the Hollywood stars who’ve defined Westerns. He’s had his Western movie classics, most notably Dances with Wolves, which he directed and starred in. The film even won Best Picture at the Academy Awards. In recent years, he’s best known for playing John Dutton on the Paramount Network series Yellowstone, which has again redefined the genre for contemporary audiences. Costner’s upcoming passion project, Horizon: An American Saga, could pave the way forward for Westerns once again.
Kevin Costner’s Horizon Sounds A Lot Like Tombstone
Horizon Has Some Character And Narrative Resemblance To Tombstone
At first glance, Tombstone and Horizon may not seem to have much in common, given the difference in setting between Wild West Arizona and the Frontiersman West. Setting-wise, Horizon may more similarly resemble Dances with Wolves. However, footage of Horizon displayed at CinemaCon 2024 seems to indicate thematic and narrative similarities to Tombstone, exploring interpersonal relationships, familial connections, and feuding factions in a Western setting. In terms of the meaningful relationships at the core of Tombstone, Horizon may be the closest comparison seen in decades.
The narrative roots of Horizon’s screenplay come from a cultural era similar to Tombstone’s
Kevin Costner has invested much of his own wealth into Horizon, as the film is a passion project he’s been developing since 1988. While it’s seen several re-writes, the narrative roots of Horizon’s screenplay come from a cultural era similar to Tombstone’s. Like with Yellowstone, Costner may have cracked the code in creating a project that can appeal to older generations’ cinematic tastes while mixing fresh elements for modern audiences.
The most exciting aspect is that if the first two films are successful, there’s a potential for even more Horizon movies. Horizon: An American Saga will be released on June 28, 2024, with its sequel arriving shortly after on August 16, 2024. For lovers of movies like Tombstone, Horizon will be a worthwhile cinematic experience to see in theaters, which will directly result in more epic Western movies if it performs well.
Horizon: An American Saga Features Two Tombstone Cast Members
Tombstone Stars Michael Rooker And Thomas Haden Church Will Appear In Horizon
Kevin Costner was making popular Western movies during the 1990s, yet he wasn’t a part of the ensemble Tombstone cast. Two actors who were in Tombstone are set to play roles in Horizon: An American Saga, adding to the similarities between the films. Michael Rooker, who played Sherman McMasters, one of Wyatt Earp’s allies in the classic, will also play a character in Horizon. In recent years, he’s been acclaimed for his role in the Guardians of the Galaxy movies.
Thomas Haden Church played a minor role in Tombstone as Billy Clanton, one of the outlaws killed in the gunfight at the O.K. Corral. Since then, he’s established himself as a recognizable supporting actor in Hollywood, with parts in Spider-Man 3 and many other famous movies. He’ll be playing a supporting role in Horizon’s ensemble, and he is currently listed to appear in both films. The Horizon cast is enormous, so it’s yet to be seen how significant of a role these stars will have.
Horizon’s Success Could Payoff Tombstone Comparisons From 1994
Kevin Costner Reprised Kurt Russell’s Wyatt Earp Role In A 1994 Film Of The Same Name
While Costner wasn’t in Tombstone, he actually played the character Wyatt Earp in a less successful movie that was released the year after. Kurt Russell played the real-life gunslinger Wyatt Earp in Tombstone, while Costner played the character in 1994’s Wyatt Earp. In the film, which takes place before the events of Tombstone, Dennis Quaid takes on Val Kilmer’s Doc Holliday role. Neither of the performances is as memorable as Tombstone’s, with the film holding an abysmal 32% score on Rotten Tomatoes with a moderately better 61% Audience Score.
Given how closely Tombstone and Wyatt Earp are linked and how Costner’s version is far less iconic, his Horizon movies are a long-awaited payoff. After three decades, Costner is making a film that could fill the shoes left by Tombstone, creating a character-focused, epic Western that could stand out as one of the best in its generation. Horizon: An American Saga could establish precedence for a new era of Western cinema and will undoubtedly be a must-watch for Tombstone fans.